Famous?

The reason why I think people are interested in other people is to see what their motivations are, the better to understand them and perhaps to learn from them - whether by following their example or avoiding their mistakes. We also do have a tendency to be fascinated by the great drama of human life - I mean, we happily read books about fictional people because we think the books help us see the world in a different way, and I'd argue that good documentary work is a form of literature too, whether it's biography or journalism or whatever. You learn a lot about human nature that way.

Of course, good documentary work isn't just about famous people - sometimes, yes, but not always. And what distinguishes it is that it is thoughtful and perceptive and helps you understand.

In contrast to that, I think we find this celebrity culture so offensive because it's so cynical and superficial. If good documentary work is satisfying and educational, celebrity culture is junk food - empty calories that bloat the mind with crap and which fuck with how we understand personal fulfillment and self-realisation. It's pervasive and somewhat addictive, but ultimately it's an unhealthy product served up to us in order to satisfy our desire for instant gratification.

ps
I'd be scared to think that David Beckham has made a mark - his main achievement in life appears to be have hitched himself both to the Man Utd marketing train and to the celebrity-obsession machine to earn himself millions whilst deteriorating steadily as a footballer. He's an example of what's wrong with this celebrity culture, if anything.